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Our Team

Team Members

Vidya Bal – Founder Member and Adviser
Vidya Bal is a well-known feminist and worked consistently for women’s cause through Nari Samata Manch and other initiatives. She is journalist by profession, worked as editor of Stree magazine and later started magazine ‘Milun Saryajani’ which is committed to cause of gender equality. She is a guiding force for Nari Samata Manch.

Dr. Geetali V. M.- Founder Member and Adviser
Dr. Geetali taught chemistry in Fergusson college for many years. She has been actively associated with Manch since its inception. At present, she is editor of Milun Saryajani. She has founded initiatives such as Purush Uvach, working with men for gender sensitivity.

Shubhangi Deshpande – Chairperson
Shubhangi is divisional manager at New India Insurance. She is associated with Andhshraddha Nirmoolan Samiti. She is a part of women’s movement and associated with Manch for many years.

Neeeta Shah – Treasurer
Neeta is a retired teacher and also served as a Principal in a high school. She is associated with Marathi Vigyan Parishad and many progressive initiatives. She is associated with Manch since long.

Shashi Bhate – Secretary
Shashi is associated with Sakhi Saryajani and Marathi Vigyan Parishad, a like-minded organization of Nari Samata Manch. She is associated with Manch since long time.

Anjani Kher – Trustee
Anjani Kher is a retired professor of German. She is associated with Nari Samata Manch since long.

Veena Patwardhan – Trustee
Veena is a banker by profession and associated with Manch since its formation.

Sadhana Dadhich – Founder Member and Present Trustee
Sadhana is physiotherapist by profession. She has active participation in Manch since its foundation. She is associated with progressive movement and also contributed substantially to NBA and NAPM

Team Profile

Preeti Karmarkar
Trained as a Social Scientist and Gender expert, Preeti is associated with Nari Samata Manch since 1998. She has 19 years of experience in social field in the areas of grassroot mobilization, project development and Management, M&E, policy as well as investigative research and NGO management with national and international exposure. She is an experienced gender trainer and provide consultation for gender integration in programme. She also provides consultation for implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and work as external members for renowned organizations. Earlier she has worked at Women’s Studies Centre (University of Pune), YASHADA and BAIF Development Research Foundation. At present, she is a board member and a chief functionary of Nari Samata Manch.

Her Publications; A Primer on Feminist Theory and Knowledge published by Women’s Studies Centre, University of Pune, Investigative research report on ‘Atrocities against Dalits in Khairlanji village of Vidarbha’ (worked as a member of committee appointed by government of Maharashtra), published by YASHADA, 2007, her three research papers are published in national and international journals and several articles are published in different dailies and magazines.

Sayali Oak-Deshpande
She has a bachelor degree in Human development and did her masters in counseling psychology. She worked at Stree Mukti Sanghatana and has experience of working with children. She is qualified to work with children with learning difficulties. She has also worked in Sundarabai Rathi school as a counselor. Her primary responsibility is to coordinate academic activities in school project.

Jagdish Kasbe
Jagdish did his masters in social work. He has lot of experience of working with communities and especially men with respect to gender sensitization. He coordinates activities at school and community level.

Vijay Kavhe
Vijay has a masters’ degree and a great mobiliser. He has been working in our field area of Bhor block engaging men to reduce violence against women. He is a good trainer and works towards participation of youth in village governance.

Alka Potnis
Alka, senior most member of present team is working with Manch for last 19 years. She is taking care of accounts as well as administration of Manch. Her sincere work has supported programme team to work smoothly.

Pallavi Dhavale
Pallavi helps the team in day today functioning and support to administration of Manch. Pallavi’s assistance helps Manch to work smoothly in day-today functioning.

Prajakta U.V.
Prajakta has masters degree in Sociology and completed PG diploma in family and child counseling. She has experience of working in the field of child rights and is committed to work on the issue of child sexual abuse. She has worked with NGOs such as Snehadeep, Aalochana, Sevadham Trust and Prayas. Through Aalochana, she was actively working with children for their creative expression. She has also worked with Nari Samata Manch towards data collection of the study on Health Status of Katkari women in Mulshi block of Pune district.

Poonam Jungare
Trained in Psychology, Poonam takes care of counseling of the people who approach to our ‘Speak Out and Counseling Center’. She has relevant experience. She is passionate about counseling and always takes effort to learn further and update herself.

Nari Samata Manch has 'Speak Out and Counseling center' for Men and Women for relationship issues. The center works during 10:30 to 5:30 on weekdays. We meet by appointment only as many people keep approaching us. For appointment, please call us on above mentioned phone numbers.